JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Prospects tested at Aim-listed Kodal Minerals’ Bougouni lithium project, in southern Mali, show strong lithium mineralisation, the company announced on Thursday.
The West Africa-focused mineral exploration and development company’s drilling programme has resulted in additional high-grade lithium mineralised drill intersections from the Ngoualana prospect, as well as the confirmation of lithium mineralisation at the Sogola-Baoule prospect, with follow-up drilling returning high-grade lithium mineralised intersections.
“The drilling programme that has been completed at the Bougouni project has been very successful, with all prospects tested returning strong lithium mineralisation,” said Kodal CEO Bernard Aylward, adding that the project continued to demonstrate that this region of southern Mali was highly prospective for pegmatite-hosted lithium mineralisation.
At the Ngoualana prospect, final results for nine of the remaining ten reverse circulation (RC) drill holes at 1 362 m have been received, with all holes showing mineralisation and significant intersections including 21 m at 1.8% lithium oxide (Li2O) from 170 m; 18 m at 1.54% Li2O from 134 m; 17 m at 1.68% Li2O from 150 m; and 14 m at 1.73% Li2O from 52 m.
The final assay results from the last RC drill hole and from the diamond drill core are still pending; however, interpretation and preparation work is well under way.
“The zone remains open to the east and at depth and we anticipate being able to extend this prospect when we recommence drilling following the rainy season,” said Aylward.
Geological logging of the five diamond drill holes is complete and the core is being cut for assay sampling and additional metallurgical testwork.
The Sogola-Baoule follow-up drilling, which comprised nine RC drill holes for 1 463 m, confirmed lithium mineralisation and has extended the prospect to the south-west.
Kodal reported that all Sogola-Baoule drill holes intersect lithium mineralisation and significant intersections included 17 m at 1.79% Li2O from 277 m; 13 m at 1.3% Li2O from 58 m; and 12 m at 1.68% Li2O from 216 m.
“This prospect is at an early stage and the drill results indicate a complex zone that remains open to the southwest, at depth and to the southeast,” said Aylward.
Drill hole MDRC015 has been identified as a possible area for priority follow-up, after returning multiple intersections of lithium mineralised pegmatite, with the drill hole finishing in mineralisation up to 2.1% Li2O.
“Our exploration team is continuing to assess the prospects, and we will continue to target areas for new pegmatite zones.”
A detailed ground magnetic survey is being planned to assist in delineating key structures and controls on mineralisation around the Ngoualana prospect.
“We anticipate this will be useful in the broader project area,” Aylward concluded.